An Athenian sculptor of the mid 5th century BC. He created many major public monuments for Athens or for dedication elsewhere, but is best known for his role as designer of the sculpture of the Parthenon. His principal works known from copies are the gold and ivory cult statues for Athens (Athena Parthenos) and Olympia (Zeus) but various others are attributed to him or tentatively identified (Athena Lemnia). He was probably the artist most responsible for defining the idealising, realistic style of the Classical period, that long remained influential.
Above: Athena Parthenos model. Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum 962.229.16. Photo. Museum © Royal Ontario Museum
